Australia approved foreign investments worth almost a third more in fiscal 2016 than the previous year, as more Chinese buyers piled into the already red-hot residential property market, government data published on Tuesday showed.

Although foreign investment approvals in real estate continue their upward trend, the resultant effect on property prices in Australia’s two biggest capitals has remained modest, a new government paper has found.

Foreign buyers of property will be hit with increased taxes and charges of more then $600 million over the next four years in an effort the government says will help reduce housing affordability pressures.

Currency & Financial

China's Rise and Its Impact on Australia

Bloomberg, 10 May 2017

Bates Gill, professor of APAC strategic studies at Australian National University, discusses the China-Australia trade relationship, the rise of populism and where he sees their relationship going. He speaks on "Bloomberg Markets: Asia."

Last year, Gina Rinehart claimed the position of Australia’s cattle queen; now her agribusiness ambitio­n is firmly international, with plans under way to develop the nation’s live cattle trade into a $2 billion industry.

CANBERRA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A continually growing demand for Australian cattle from China is likely to make the industry going from strength to strength, according to experts who are lauding China's taste for Aussie beef.

Resources

Australian investment in renewables hit all-time high in 2016

Renewable Energy Magazine, 11 May 2017

Australian investment in renewable energy hit an all time high last year according to the Clean Energy Regulator Report for 2016. According to the report 86 of the 98 new power plants accredited in 2016 were solar power plants.